Mischa

Soviet-era postage stamps reflect to a large extent the history, politics, economics, and culture of the USSR. Postage stamps may be small, however the value of stamps speak volumes as they serve to explain society beliefs and values. In fact, the detailed illustrations on postage stamps exhibit elements of propaganda with displayed images of nationalism. In 1980, the USSR distributed stamps to coincide with their hosting of the Summer Olympics in Moscow. Postage stamps served as another outlet for Soviet national and ethnic animosities to reach the Soviet people and garner support for the big summer event.

One stamp in particular showcased much of the USSR’s patriotic hype. The Soviet Union issued this single-stamp high-denomination mint mini-sheet on November 24, 1980, to commemorate the completion of the 22nd Summer Olympic Games (hosted by Moscow; July 19 – August 3, 1980). The stamp depicts the Moscow Olympics mascot “Mischa”, the Russian bear. The Russian bear is significant because it is a widespread symbol used to this day in Russia that also relates alike as symbol of the Soviet Union. The bear is displayed proudly, carrying the Olympic torch and wearing the Olympic rings. The words ‘postage’ CCCP are displayed along the side to label the Soviet stamp. The intended audience for this stamp to be distributed to are everyday Soviet people in effort to encourage nationalism and support for the games.

There is a larger context behind the embedded propaganda elements in the stamp. The Cold War came to the Olympics in 1980 as the United States led the way in a mass boycott of the Moscow Games in protest at the Soviet Union’s 1979 invasion of Afghanistan. The Olympics have always tried to be a politics-free event but in 1980, it became a pawn in the on-going Cold War cat-and-mouse between the two superpowers; the United States and the Soviet Union. The Olympics not only display the political setting inside the Soviet Union, but also how foreign relations evolved between the USSR and the other nations of the world. By this point, the games were used as a tool of politics; a means of displaying dominance to the world.